First of all, thank you for making these caps. I lost my hair during my chemo treatments and wore the fleece hats. I now volunteer in the Cancer Center and often help women select hats. The fleece hats are very popular. It is amazing how cold our heads get without hair! Your work will be truly appreciated.
Buy 1 & 3/4 yards to make 6 caps. If you are curious of what colors to buy, go to your closet and look at which colors and patterns would go with your clothes. In winter, many of us wear black, brown, navy, tan and blue. Prints such as small prints and checks go well with many outfits. Many women will select these colors over the bright large patterns that are often typical of fleece fabrics.
Select the softest fleece possible. Many women who have lost their hair have really tender scalps. It is best not to finish the seams. Fleece doesn’t ravel and finished seams may irritate some scalps.
Cut one 16 X 24” band for each cap and two 7 ¼” circles for each crown. The stretch should be on the 24” side. Fleece will roll to the wrong side. I found it easier to draw a 7 ¼ circle out of parchment paper to have pattern for the circle.
1) Fold the right sides together to make the side band that measures 16 X 12” on each side.
2) Stitch the side with 1/4“seam allowance. Press seam open.
3) Wrong sides together, bring one end of each band through the tube and match seam and raw edges. The band is now 8” x 11 3/4” on each side.
4) Mark each side and then again in half so that you have quarter marks for the raw edges. Pins with colored ball heads work great for quarter marks.
5) Lay the two circles together wrong sides together for the crown. Pin them together and mark each half and then again so that each quarter is marked.
6) Pin the raw edges of the band and the circles together matching the quarter marks to ease in the fabric.
7) Stitch the band to the crown. I found it easier to stitch on the band side rather than inside the circle. It is fine to use regular straight stitch as this stitching doesn’t need to stretch. Trim off extra threads.
You can embellish the hats with buttons & bows, but make sure that stitching will not be on the part that touches the scalp. Soft flat decorations are best. Many will take naps or sleep in these caps.
If you have questions, feel free to contact me at Linda Kmitch (320-255-9292) or lindakmitch@gmail.com. Again, thank you so much for making the caps. They are so appreciated. The caps should be brought to the Cancer Center at CentraCare Health Plaza. Contact Alison Dahlin, at 320-229-5199, ext. 70857 or dahlina@centracare.com to make arrangements.
Learn about more Ways to Give In-Kind To Support Cancer Patients & Ideas for Cancer Treatment Care Packages
